The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-28
An Objectionable Bill.

It is probable that there will be strong
| opposition TO the bill pending in the Legis-
lature authorizing the government to con-
| denim property in this city for a public
| building site The understanding seems to
| be that the government intends to condemn
the property of DIR. Hops, on the corner of
! Bull and South Broad streets DIR. Hops
! objects to having his property taken from
him in that way, or in any other way, with
out his consent, and he is right about it. 1t
is true that he offered his property for
public building site. at price which he fixed
upon it, but he had no intention Of letting
the government have it at a price which "A
commission, appointed under proceedings
to condemn it, might place upon it. He
knows what his property is worth to him,
and it is rather bigh-handed proceeding to
take it from him for less than he is willing
TO accept for it. The commission may be a
fair ono, and may place just valuation
upon it, but that is no reason why he should
be forced to sell it for less than his own
valuation. The same is true with respect to
any private property, other than that of
DIR. Hops, which the government might
wish to condemn.
If it were absolutely necessary for the
government 30 have Dr. Hops, or any
other piece of private property which the
owner refused to part with for fair COM
pensation there would he some excuse for
the bill, but there is no such necessity.
There are plenty of sites which will answer
the governments needs and which can be
had at reasonable prices. The Union So
ciety, for instance, offered lot on Whit
aker street which has a front on public
square, and which, in the opinion of many,
is a more desirable location for the public
building than the corner of Bull and South
Broad streets. The agent of the Supervis-
ing Architect, however reported in favor
of the latter location, notwithstanding the
fact that the price asked for it was almost
double. A petition containing almost Zoo
names of prominent citizens urging the &C
ceptance of the Whitaker street location
was sent to the Supervising Architect, but
no petition, as far as the public knows, was
presented in favor of the location on the
corner Of Bull and South Broad streets.
1t seems strange that the wishes of so
many citizens should have been disregarded
in matter in which they were so deeply
interested, and that the recommendation of
a representative Of the Supervising Archi-
tect, who knew little or nothing about the
city, should have had so much weight. If
the Whitaker street site had been selected
it is probable that the corner stone of the
public building would have been laid by
this time. The indications now are that it
will be long time before it is laid.
The Union Society may not be willing
now to sell the Whitaker street lot. 1t has
made arrangements to improve it. There
is a possibility, however, that it might be
induced to part with it simply to have the
public building in an eligible location. Mr.
Freret, who was appointed Supervising
Architect a few days ago, might be more
willing to comply with the wishes of the
people than his predecessor, Mr.. Bell, was
But if the Whitaker street site is not
available there are other sites which can
be obtained at fair prices, and that, too,
without the legislation that is now sought
at Atlanta. If the pending bill becomes a
law any citizens property can be taken at a
valuation which a commission may fix upon
it, whether the property is for sale or not
Before the Legislature acts upon this bill it
should inform itself whether it is needed
1t will have no difficulty in discovering
that it isn't